Club Wants Rick Ross to Take the Heat for Fight

(CN) – A Bronx nightclub that faces claims from customers injured in a fight says in court that rapper Rick Ross and his entourage started the brawl.Click here to read Courthouse News’ Entertainment Law Digest. Umbrella Lounge was sued in October 2011 case by two clubgoers, Jeison Soto and Edward Soto, over a brawl that allegedly took place on Jan. 28 of that year. The Sotos blamed Umbrella for failing to provide “enough security for its patrons due to the constant violence from rap parties due to the fact rap parties are known violent inherently.” Jeison allegedly needed 40 stitches, and Edward suffered severe lacerations and scarring, according to the complaint, which said the men were attacked by other bar patrons. Umbrella turned the legal tables Tuesday by filing a third-party claim in Bronx County Supreme Court against Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II. The club says Ross and “a group of friends and security guards” were responsible for the fracas. “Third-party defendant and his entourage entered into a physical altercation with a group of patrons of Umbrella Lounge,” the complaint states. “Security at Umbrella Lounge diligently broke up the altercation and escorted the two groups involved out of separate exits,” it continues. But the allegedly fight continued outside, where the Sotos were injured. Last weekend, Ross reportedly got into a scuffle with fellow rapper Young Jeezy at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. His most recent album is called “God Forgives, I Don’t.” Umbrella Lounge is located at 440 W. 202nd St. The club is represented by Ross Goldband of Camacho Mauro Mulholland in Manhattan.